Industrial research in nanoelectronics for a total amount of €427 million is planned by different consortia. The proposals are requesting €196 million of public funding to be raised by the involved Member States and the Commission, which is more than twice the amount originally foreseen. 265 participations, involving 158 organisations, out of 20 different European countries are involved in 12 proposals. 47% of the organisations are SMEs representing 22% of the requested funding. All major actors in the European semiconductor industry are included. Proposals target 3 social and economically important key lead markets: transport & mobility; security & safety; and energy & environment as well as design, equipment, material and manufacturing.

One of the main objectives for launching the Joint Undertaking was to attract projects that would aim at large strategic initiatives on focused topics of high relevance for the European nanoelectronics industry and its users. These would bring together major European ICT players with SMEs, Universities or Research centres forming geographically spread consortia. With an average of more than 20 participants, 8 countries participating and a €35 million cost per proposal, this objective has clearly been reached.

Background

Nanoelectronics are significant drivers of innovation and growth and are crucial to the EU’s future competitiveness and societal development. They are integral components in products for mobile communications, transport, computing and consumer products, amongst others. The value of electronic components in innovative products is growing, as extra functionalities and intelligence are added. The sector faces a number of challenges, including fragmentation of its research efforts, increasing technological complexity and competitive pressures from other world regions.

The ENIAC Nanoelectronics Joint Technology Initiative (JTI) provides a framework to coordinate resources and funding from the Framework Programme, industry, national research and development (R&D) programmes and intergovernmental schemes (such as EUREKA). By integrating R&D efforts, ENIAC will foster durable large-scale strategic partnerships between European industry and institutes, thus anchoring R&D in Europe and boosting European competitiveness.